Athletics: Former triple jump world champion Phillips Idowu will miss next month’s World Championships in Moscow after announcing yes-terday that he was taking an indefinite break from athletics. The 34-year-old Briton has competed only once since last year’s London Olympics, where he made an early exit after crashing out in qualifying. “After some careful consideration I have decided that for the foreseeable future I will be taking a step back from athletics,” the 2008 Beijing Olympic silver medallist said in a statement. “I feel this is the right time for me to make this decision and it’s not a choice I’ve made lightly.”
Snooker: Ali Carter has revealed he is “not out of the woods yet” after being told his testicular cancer scare requires further investigation. News of Carter’s illness was announced on July 1 with the 33-year-old undergoing an operation the following day. The two-time world finalist said the operation had gone well and he had been advised to rest for a month, but writing on Twitter yesterday he revealed that further treatment was on the cards. “Further inves-tigation is required,” Carter wrote. “Seeing oncologist Friday now to talk through treatment options. So not out the woods yet!”
Motor Racing: British racer Josh Hill has given up the dream of following world champion father Damon and late grandfather Graham into Formula One with the announcement that he was quitting motor racing. Hill, 22, said in a statement that he would not be competing in the rest of the European Formula Three season because he wanted to pursue other interests. “Coming from the Hill family it was inevitable that I would be drawn to racing. I have learned an enormous amount but I do not want to compete unless I am 100 per cent devoted,” he said.
Basket, NBA: Houston Rockets have been fined $150,000 for prematurely commenting about new acquisition Dwight Howard, the NBA said yesterday. The league has a moratorium on teams discussing personnel business until players officially sign. Howard made waves across the league by verbally committing to the Rockets last Friday rather than returning to Los Angeles Lakers. Amidst the excitement, both Rockets manager Daryl Morey and coach Kevin McHale publicly commented on securing Howard to draw the penalty.
Cricket – The Ashes: England roared back in the final session following a feeble batting display as wickets tumbled on a dramatic opening day of the first Ashes test against Australia at Trent Bridge yesterday. Australia, huge underdogs in the series, enjoyed the perfect start when fiery fast bowler Peter Siddle took five wickets and England collapsed to 215 all out shortly after tea. However, Steven Finn removed Shane Watson and Ed Cowan in successive balls and James Anderson dismissed Michael Clarke and Chris Rogers before Australia lurched to the close on 75 for four. Steve Smith, on 38, and Phil Hughes, seven, were the ‘not out’ batsmen.